The late President Haim Herzog Award, presented by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in cooperation with the Yad Haim Herzog Foundation as a mark of appreciation for an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel, was awarded today at a festive ceremony held at the President’s Residence to Yael Arad, Chair of the Olympic Committee of Israel, member of the International Olympic Committee, and the first Israeli athlete in history to win an Olympic medal.
Yael Arad became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal in 1992 at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games in judo, and dedicated her achievement to the memory of the eleven Israeli victims of the Munich massacre. Arad embodies excellence, diligence, partnership, leadership, humility, respectful representation, and volunteerism. She has dedicated both her personal and professional life to advancing sport in Israel and serves as a role model for many Israeli athletes. Over the years, Arad has forged her path as a resilient leader and developed a successful career in the business world, specializing in entrepreneurship, business development, and marketing strategy.
The Haim Herzog Award, which was postponed this year due to the “Operation Rising Lion” war, is presented every two years by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in cooperation with the Yad Haim Herzog Foundation on the anniversary of the passing of Israel’s sixth President, Haim Herzog. The award was presented at an official ceremony at the President’s Residence attended by Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal Herzog, Hebrew University President Tamir Sheafer, and Chairman of the Board of Governors Menahem Ben-Sasson.
Sport was one of the fields to which President Haim Herzog devoted considerable attention throughout his life. In his youth in Ireland, he won the Maccabi Dublin championship title and the Irish Youth Boxing Championship, and also played cricket and rugby. As an adult, he was an amateur sailor, and the annual “Haim Herzog Regatta” is held in his memory in Herzliya.
